| Mission Opportunities with SICM | |
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James And Anneli Colton |
 James & Anneli at the SICM Missions Centre prior to leaving for Tanzania |
| From the early part of the year, the Coltons have been preparing themselves for the mission field. Our plan is that they will be there during the first half of 2002.
While in Africa they will be working alongside Pastor Robert Chidundo, of the Evangelistic Assemblies of God (EAG). Robert is the SICM contact for Tanzania. We have been working together since 1994, and amongst other things, Robert has hosted all the SICM teams that have visited the country, and arranged their programmes. The Coltons schedule while working in Tanzania will involve James teaching, and working with the Pastors. For anyone that has a knowledge of Africa, you will be aware that one of the greatest needs within the Church there is for good, balanced and clear Biblical teaching. Anneli will be working with the women of the Church. Again, this is an area of African Church life that has great potential for input. Standing with James And Anneli If you would like to support James and Anneli, that would be greatly appreciated. Their support raising is two fold. First of all, they need to raise an amount to cover one-off costs for a year (We send people for an initial commitment of 1 year, which can become a rollover if that's how things work out), such as flights, insurance, etc. Then there are ongoing costs, ie monthly living expenses. At the time of writing, we still need to raise money for both areas of support. To get behind James and Anneli, send a cheque to SICM, our address is PO Box 1216, Dudley DY3 1GW. Mark the envelopes - 'Coltons support'. All finance is acknowledged by a letter and a receipt, and we will keep everyone informed of their progress via their regular newsletter. To support them regularly, contact us for a Direct Debit form. We are also able to claim tax on all gifts, where the donor is a UK taxpayer, so if anyone wants to send an anonymous donation, we will respect that as far as letting James and Anneli are concerned, but let the SICM office have your details, so that we can follow up the tax reclamation. In their own words..... By James Colton Stepping out in God : we knew God had called us to go to Tanzania and it was great when we met with SICM and were accepted to go with them. But then came the challenge of when and all that goes with that "when"; after much prayer and confirmation from a visiting preacher I knew it was right that I should resign the pastorate of the Whitby assembly, leaving at the end of September, also leaving my part time job in the civil service at the same time. From the moment those decisions were acted upon doors started to open; doors of opportunity to speak of our calling and the task before us; doors of financial release, gifts beginning to come in. We wanted to give up the house we rented and it became possible for Anneli and I to live in at Functional English, a Christian language school in Whitby where students aged 17 to 50+ come from various countries around the world to learn English, (not all the students are Christians). Anneli has been working there as the nursery supervisor for many years and continues to work there until the end of this term. I have been asked to help with the spiritual programme and generally be available to talk with the students. Needless to say the main topic of conversation has been about our going to Tanzania ! We have been able to talk about missions to a number of students and to pray with them. Do pray for them as some are now considering going on missions. Our Farewell Service on the 29th September was a wonderful evening and a testimony of all good that God has done during our time in the assembly and with working with the other Churches in Whitby. A wonderful offering was taken for us for our future work, and others who couldn't be there sent cards and cheques !! Praise the Lord for His goodness. So as we have stepped out in God we have seen a release of blessing but it only happened when we were prepared to step out in faith. The enemy tried to discourage us with "Did God say.." but we knew we had heard from God and were able to withstand the attack and step out! We have also received invitations now to visit various Churches and groups and to share about missions, about our calling and about the need in Tanzania and the task before us. I even had a three minute radio slot on a Sunday morning on our local radio station, Yorkshire Coast Radio. Reading and studying : now I have time to read up about Africa, especially Tanzania, to learn of its culture and history. To read of what missionaries have done in the past and to read of how the Church has developed. Finding now a new interest in any programme on television that shows the African way of life, like the survival documentaries. Also going through all my books (believe me I have a lot of books !) to see what would be suitable for use in Tanzania in teaching and equipping the Pastors. In fact everything we have is now looked at in the light of "Is this useful or necessary for work in Tanzania?", and "Can this be taken to Tanzania?" One of the songs from Songs of Fellowship has become very meaningful to us : "Facing a task unfinished, that drives us to our knees, a need that, undiminished, rebukes our slothful ease. We, who rejoice to know Thee, renew before Thy throne the solemn pledge we owe Thee to go and make Thee known". The last verse concludes, "From cowardice defend us, from lethargy awake! Forth on Thine errands send us to labour for Thy sake". Prayer that "drives us to our knees" - prayer is vital for everyone but especially those who are as it were "on the front line" of the battle field; that includes Pastors, evangelists and missionaries. The need to have a good prayer life and to be held in prayer constantly. So I encourage you to pray for us, for SICM and for Tanzania. Prayer Points * Finances, for our regular monthly support * Work permit to be able to work in Tanzania * Robert Chidundo our link man in Tanzania as he finds a house for us to live in and as he organises our initial work programme. * 16/12/01 to 15/01/02 we shall visit Anneli's family in Finland and hopefully speak in Churches. Prior to leaving for the mission field, James and Anneli Colton can be reached at : Postal address : Functional English, 5 Chubb Hill, Whitby. YO21 1JU Direct e-mail : jimjams@funenglish.co.uk |
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